Multi-mount

ABSTRACT

A sight mount for a firearm includes a base, and a rearwardly extending mounting portion for supporting a removable secondary optic mount. The base includes dovetail rails for securing the base to a firearm, and a mount position for accepting an electronic optic. The rearwardly extending mounting portion has transverse slots which follow the 1913 Picatinny specifications. The base serves as a mount point for up to two optics, the primary and secondary optics. The primary optic being a non magnified electronic optic and the secondary optic such either a night vision device or magnifier. The extended mounting position utilizes a small, light weight ring or other apparatus as is appropriate to hold onto the secondary optic. By using one base for both optics weight is reduced and the secondary optic when remove provides a stream lined package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to optical mounts for a firearm and, more particularly, to optical mounts for firearms which allow for combination of multiple electronic sights and accessories to improve the operational capability of the host rifle.

2. Prior Art

The use of electronic guns sights, magnifying devices and night vision is proliferating in military, law enforcement and civilian circles. The use of a non magnified optic is very popular for users who are operating in a home environment where the engagement range is very short. Night time operations and long range operations are not practical with most conventional non magnified electronic sights or night visions scopes. As such mounting either a magnifying device or night vision optic behind the primary electronic aiming device has become common place. Traditionally the use of various mounts which will fit behind the optic has been the solution. The majority of military and police firearms which are being used with non magnified electronic sights have a 1913 Picatinny rail on the top of the firearm. The AR15 is the most prolific weapons system with said 1913 rail and is in use with military, police and civilians shooters.

Utilizing one mount for the non magnified electronic optic and another for either the magnifying or night vision device creates several issues. One the use of two mounts forces the user to place the non magnified, primary, optic further forward of the host weapon that may be desirable. This is required because the amount of space on the 1913 rail is limited. The use of a flip up iron sight, well known in the prior art, is also occupying some of this limited spacer. The use of two mounts increases the weight of the firearm and also forces the user to store both the mount and optic when not in use. Because of the offset required to place the secondary optic in the proper orientation with the primary optic the secondary optic with attached mount presents an awkward package for the user to stow in a place which is also convenient to access should the need for the secondary optic present itself.

Designs such as the LaRue tactical offset mount is designed to flip to the side so that the secondary optic does not obstruct the user view of the primary optic. Designs such as this still keep the weight of the secondary optic and mount on the firearm. The secondary optic when flipped to the side is not obscuring the primary optic but is obscuring the peripheral view of the shooter. Limited 1913 Picatinny rail space is being utilized by the addition of a secondary mount thus limiting the users' options for primary optic placement.

The most prolific solution to mounting secondary optics is simply another mount which may be quickly removed. A.R.M.S., LaRue Tactical, and other companies have been producing such mounts for years. The original designs utilized threaded nuts which depressed dovetailed locking bars against the 1913 Picatinny mounting rail. These designs did provide a securing mounting method for the optic. As the variety of optics increased, electronic optics, night vision, and magnifying devices the user of such optics need to quickly remove one optic and replace it with another, or use a secondary optic in conjunction with the primary optic. Throw lever designs such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,272,904 (Mark LaRue) or by U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,988 (Richard Swan) are attempts to allow the user a means to quickly remove an optic from a firearm. None of these mounts and various modifications provide a single mount which has a means to attach the primary optic and also provides a base of proper height for optics which are deigned to be used in conjunction with the primary optic. In the preferred embodiment the primary optic is an Aimpoint electronic gun site and the secondary optics are a magnifier or a night vision device. The design is not limited exclusively to Aimpoint or either of the two secondary optics mentioned.

The applicants proposed device eliminates these concerns. A solid mounting base for the primary optic is provided. At the rear of said base an attachment point is available so that the user may attach a secondary optical mount. This secondary mount simply consists of a ring with a means for attachment to the mount point provided on the primary optics base. Proper alignment of the secondary optic and primary optic is ensured. Since the primary optical mount base is already the proper height there is no need for a riser on the secondary optical mount. This eliminates unnecessary weight and stream lines the secondary optic so that it might be stored in a pocket or smaller pouch which a secondary optic with conventional mount would be unable to fit in.

3. Objects and Advantages

Accordingly several objects and advantages of the present invention are

-   -   (a) To provide a single optical mount base which can accommodate         a primary optic and removable accommodate a secondary optic.     -   (b) To streamline the secondary optical mounts profile so as to         not inconvenience the shooter when the secondary optical mount         is not in use.     -   (c) To provide an optical base which allows for the mounting of         a primary and secondary optic thus reducing the weight added to         the host firearm when two optics are utilized.     -   (d) By minimizing the amount of 1913 Picatinny rail space         utilized by two optics the user has an increased range of         primary optic placement.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a device which will securely mount to a 1913 Picatinny rail, provide proper elevation placement of an electronic gun site, and offer the option to removably secure a secondary optical sight such as night vision or a magnifier. The base of the proposed apparatus uses a dove tail rail as a means to secure to a 1913 Picatinny rail. There is a mounting position on the base for an M4 or ML4 Aimpoint, or other primary optical gun site. The rear of the base has a Picatinny rail section to facilitate removably securing a secondary optic equipped with an attachment device. When this attachment device is secured to the base the two parts form the mount. Traditionally if an optical gun sight is used in conjunction with a secondary optic such as a magnifier or night vision scope a separate mount must also be utilized. This additional mount in order to save weight is often offset from its base creating a cumbersome package for the user to stow while not in use. This additional mount also adds weight to the firearm and limits the positions which the user may mount the primary electronic gun site. By utilizing the base as the primary mount point for both a primary and secondary optic the over all weight of the optical packages is reduced, rail space on the host weapon system is optimized and the placement of the primary optic is not as limited by the secondary optic. This device may be utilized with either a flip up or fixed rear sight depending on the users desired mounting location of the base. This mount base and the rail section for the secondary optic may be used in conjunction with throw lever mounts, well known in the prior art, or other side flipping mounts.

DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention, together with further advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an horizontal perspective view of the multi-mount;

FIG. 2 shows a horizontal cutaway view of the multi-mount;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the multi-mount;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the multi-mount ring attachment;

FIG. 5 shows a view of the multi-mount secured to a firearm with an optic in place;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1, perspective side view of the proposed multi mount 10. The main components are the base 20, and the secondary optic ring 30. The base 20 is design to interface with a 1913 spec Picatinny rail, well known in the prior art. There are two screws 21, and a retaining plate 22 which hold the base 20 onto a Picatinny rail.

The secondary optic ring 30 is retained onto the base 20 by means of a retention knob 40 which places pressure on a retention plate 44, when the retention knob 40 is threadedly secured to a screw 43 which runs transverse to the axis of the base 20.

The secondary optic ring 30 has a gap machined into the top portion of the ring 30. Two retention screws 32 are threaded into the aluminum housing and when tightened to close the gap 31 on the secondary optic ring 30. A 30 mm void 33 for an optic is provided on the secondary optic ring 30. The appropriate cut outs and retention points are provided for an Aimpoint M4 electronic optic on the base 20 of the multi-mount 10.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a horizontal cutaway view of the proposed multi-mount 10. The Aimpoint M4 50 mount is shown in greater detail. The primary 24 and secondary 25 retention points are illustrated. Screws may be slide up from the bottom side to retain an electronic optic in place. A cross slots 26 is provided to prevent forward or aft movement of the M4 Aimpoint 50.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a top perspective view of the base 20 with the secondary optic ring removed 30. Illustrated is the forward portion of the base 20 which consist of a 1913 specification Picatinny rail 27. Also shown is a top perspective view of the primary 24, secondary 25 and cross slot 26 necessary to retain the Aimpoint M4 50.

FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of the secondary optic ring 30. Illustrated is how the retention screw 43, retention plate 44, retention knob 40, and the cavity 42 used to torque the knob 40 interact.

FIG. 5 shows a firearm 53 with a rail following the 1913 specifications illustrated. An Aimpoint 50 is secured to the multi-mount 10 base 20. Further, a secondary magnifying optic 51 is held securely in place by the secondary optic ring 30.

As used herein, the word “front” or “forward” corresponds to the direction of the multi-mount (i.e., to the right as shown in FIG. 1); “rear” or “rearward” or “back” corresponds to the direction opposite the direction of the multi-mount (i.e., to the left as shown in FIG. 1); “longitudinal” means the direction along or parallel to the longitudinal axis a of the base; and “transverse” means a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The multi-mount 10 is designed to have an electronic optic secured to its base 20. The mounting points 23 provided on the preferred embodiment are intended for use with an Aimpoint M4. Screws are used from the primary 24 and secondary 25 retention points to secure the Aimpoint to the base 20.

The base 20 is designed to interface with a 1913 specification Picatinny rail. Such rails are well known in the prior art as is there use on a firearm 53. Two screws 21 are designed to place pressure against a retention plate 22 when threadedly secured. The retention plate 22 prevents the base 20 from moving while mounted on a firearm 53.

Securing the secondary optic ring 30 to the Picatinny rail 27 provided on the base is provided for through the use of a knob 40 which when threadedly secured puts pressure on a retention plate 44 thereby retaining the secondary optic ring 30. The knob 40 is threadedly securing to a retention screw 43 which also runs transverse to the axis of the base 10 and interacts with the cross slot of the Picatinny rail 27.

The magnifier 51 is held in place by the secondary optical ring 30 through pressure exerted on it by the closing of the gap 31 present on the secondary optic ring 30. By threadedly securing screws 32 at the top of the secondary optic ring 30 the gap 31 is closed.

When in use the knob 40 present on the secondary optical ring 30 is designed so that the user may easily remove or attach the secondary optical ring 30 to the multi-mount 10 base 20. The Aimpoint 50 and base are designed to be removably secured to a firearm 53 but not without the use of tools and are therefore more securely retained as compared to the secondary optical ring 30.

Thus, there has been described a preferred embodiment of the multi-mount 10 which provides a durable base 20 to retain an electronic optic and provides a means to removably secure a secondary optic such as a magnifier or a night vision scope. Further, the secondary optics mounting ring 30 has a minimal and streamlined profile to make it easy for the user to store when not in use. Other embodiments of the present invention, and variations of the embodiment described herein, may be developed without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the invention should be limited only by the scope of the claims listed below.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly the reader will see that, according to the invention, I have provided a mounting base for an electronic optic and a secondary optic. This proposed apparatus provides a means to removably secure a secondary optic on the base and thereby be used with the primary electronic optic. The base also has means to be secured onto a firearm with a 1913 specification Picatinny rail.

While my above drawings and description contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.” 

1: An optical mount for at least one optic, comprising: a: an optic mount having a forward end and a rear end, and b: a forward end having a means for attaching a primary electronic gun site, and c: a rear end having a series of transverse slots formed therein, and d: a lower surface with means to attach said optic mount to a host firearm, and e: a ring with means for attachment to said series of transverse slots located at the rear of said optic mount, and f: said ring has means for attachment to a secondary optic which is designed to be used in conjunction with said primary electronic gun site. Whereby the optical mount is designed to allow the user an option of removably securing a secondary optic, such as a night vision device or magnifier, to the provided optical mount for use with the primary electronic gun site. 2: The optical mount of claim 1, wherein said primary electronic gun site is an Aimpoint. 3: The optical mount of claim 1, wherein the attaching means for securing said optical mount to said firearm is a 1913 Picatinny fitting. 4: The optical mount of claim 1, wherein said series of transverse slots are a 1913 Picatinny fitting and said ring is designed to interface with said transverse slots. 5: An optical mount for at least one optic, comprising: a: an optic mount having a forward end and a rear end, and b: a forward end having a means for attaching a primary electronic gun site, and c: a rear end having a series of 1913 Picatinny rail slots formed therein, and d: a lower surface with means to attach said optic mount to a host firearm, and e: a ring with means for attachment to said series of 1913 Picatinny rail slots located at the rear of said optic mount, and f: said ring has means for attachment to a secondary optic, said ring being positioned at a height that enables use of said secondary optic in conjunction with said primary optic, further said height is selected so that said host firearms factory sights may still be utilized. 